Tool for boot and the like

ABSTRACT

A tool, which is adapted for stabilizing a pair of boots in shape, includes two retaining legs and a binding head. The two retaining legs are extended side-by-side to define a retaining gap therebetween, wherein each of the retaining legs has an upper end and a lower end to define a retaining length at least longer than a length of a shaft of each of the boots. The binding head is provided at the upper ends of the retaining legs for applying an urging force therealong so as to minimize a width of the retaining gap, wherein the retaining legs are adapted for inserting into the shafts of the boots respectively at a position that two inner sides of the shafts are held between the retaining legs so as to stabilize the shapes of boots.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear, and more particular to a toolfor a pair of boots and the like, which is adapted to stabilizing theshafts of the boots so as to retain the boots in shape.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ARTS

Boots are one of a popular style of women's footwear. A typical bootgenerally has a vamp attached to a sole, wherein the vamp surrounds thefoot of the wearer and merges into a shaft which extends upwardly to thewearer's ankle along the wearer's calf. Accordingly, the vamp is usuallymade of flexible material and is adapted to be self-retained in shape bythe sole when the boot is not worn. However, the shaft is too long thatit cannot be maintained its shape. Therefore, when the boots are notworn, the shafts will usually be folded to the vamp.

It is always a hassle to display the boots in stores that the shafts ofthe boots must be retained at an upright manner. Boot shapers aregenerally used that the boot shapers are inserted into the shafts tomaintain the shapes thereof. However, the customers must remove the bootshapers from the boots in order to test-wear the boots. Then, thecustomers may merely leave the boot shapers out of the boots orimproperly insert the boot shapers back to the boots. An improperposition of the boot shaper will cause the deformation of the shaft. Inaddition, boots are liable with use to become marred in appearance bymarks due to stretching and creasing.

Shoe experts always mention that boots must be stored in an uprightposition with a boot shapers stuffed in the boot to the shaft with aboot form. The best places to store the boots in are cool, dry, andventilated to prevent odor developing. However, the boot shapers haveseveral drawbacks.

After wearing the boots, the boot shapers are inserted into the bootsand will restrict the air circulation therewithin. Furthermore, the bootshapers are formed in one size that the boot shapers may not fit intodifferent shapes of boots. An improved boot shaper has ashape-adjustable unit for enabling the wearer to selectively adjust theshape of the boot shaper in order to fit into the boots. However, theboot shaper with the shape-adjustable unit will increase themanufacturing cost and increase the weight of the boot shaper that theshaft of the boot may not able to support the boot shaper therein. Thus,the wearer must purchase the boot shapers in pairs. If one of the bootshapers is broken or lost, only one of the boots can be held in shape.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a tool for a pair ofboots and the like, which is adapted to stabilizing the shafts of theboots so as to retain the boots in shape.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a tool for boots, whichhas a single retaining structure to retain two boots in shape at thesame time. In particular, the tool of the present invention can beselectively used for retaining one boot at a time or two boots at atime.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a tool for boots, whichallows air circulation of the boots.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a tool for boots, whichhas a length-adjustably leg for selectively adjusting its heightcorresponding to the shaft-length of the boot.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a tool for boots, whichhas a simple structure to minimize the manufacturing cost of the tool toretain the boots in shape.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a tool for boots,wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ inthe present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects.Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic andefficient solution for stabilizing the shafts of the boots.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a tool for a pair of boots, comprising tworetaining legs and a binding head.

The two retaining legs are extended side-by-side to define a retaininggap therebetween, wherein each of the retaining legs has an upper endand a lower end to define a retaining length at least longer than alength of a shaft of each of the boots.

The binding head is provided at the upper ends of the retaining legs forapplying an urging force therealong so as to minimize a width of theretaining gap, wherein the retaining legs are adapted for inserting intothe shafts of the boots respectively at a position that two inner sidesof the shafts are held between the retaining legs so as to stabilize theshapes of the shafts of the boots.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool for boots and the like accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the boots being retained by the tool according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative mode of the retaining leg of thetool according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second alternative mode of the retaining leg of thetool according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a tool for a pair of bootsaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated, wherein the tool is adapted for holding the two bootstogether and for stabilizing the shape of the boots at the same time.Each boot 10 has a vamp 11 attached to a sole 12 and a shaft 13 mergingwith the vamp 11. According to the preferred embodiment, the toolcomprises two retaining legs 20 and a binding head 30.

The two retaining legs 20 are extended side-by-side to define aretaining gap 21 therebetween, wherein each of the retaining legs 20 hasan upper end and a lower end 22 to define a retaining length at leastlonger than a length of the shaft 13 of each of the boots 10. Inaddition, a bottom opening 23 is formed between the lower ends 22 of theretaining legs 20 to communicate with the retaining gap 21.

The binding head 30 is provided at the upper ends of the retaining legs20 for applying an urging force therealong so as to minimize a width ofthe retaining gap 21, wherein the retaining legs 20 are adapted forinserting into the shafts 13 of the boots 10 respectively at a positionthat two inner sides of the shafts 13 are held between the retaininglegs 20 so as to stabilize the shapes of the shafts 13 of the boots 10,as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the retaining legs 20 is made of lightweightbut durable material, such as plastic or metal, that the shafts 13 ofthe boots 10 can be rigidly supported by the retaining legs 20. Inparticular, each of the retaining legs 20 has an elongated and straightconfiguration that two inner sides of the retaining legs 20 are twoelongated and straight surfaces for biasing against the inner sides ofthe shafts 13 respectively. In other words, when the inner sides of theshafts 13 are held between the retaining legs 20, the boots 10 areretained side-by-side and in an upright manner. Preferably, each of theretaining legs 20 has a rectangular cross section or square crosssection such that the inner side of each of the retaining legs 20 is aflat surface to enhance the contacting area with respect to the innerside of the shaft 13.

It is appreciated that each of the retaining legs 20 can be configuredto have an elongated waving structure that the inner sides of theretaining legs 20 are two elongated and waving surfaces for biasingagainst the inner sides of the shafts 13 respectively. Therefore, eachof the retaining legs 20 will also apply the urging force through thewaving structure in order to stabilize the shape of the shaft 13. Thewaving surfaces of the retaining legs 20 will minimize the contactingarea to the inner sides of the shafts 13 as well to reduce the mar ofthe shaft 13 due to urging force.

The binding head 30 is made of flexible material, such as plastic ormetal, for applying the urging force along the retaining legs 20. Inparticular, the binding head 30 comprises a U-shaped resilient head 31integrally extended from the upper ends of the retaining legs 20. Inother words, the resilient head 31 is integrated with the retaining legs20 to form a one piece integrated structure. It is appreciated that whenthe retaining legs 20 and the binding head 30 are made of plastic, thetool of the present invention can be made by injection to form theintegrated structure. When the retaining legs 20 and the binding head 30are made of metal, the tool of the present invention can be made by anelongated metal wire being bent to form the integrated structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the resilient head 31 is formed as a corneringportion of the tool and define a cavity 311 communicating with theretaining gap 21. The cavity 311 has an oval shape. In particular, awidth of the cavity 311, i.e. along the radius, is larger than a widthof the retaining gap 21. When the retaining legs 20 are moved away fromeach other to increase the width of the retaining gap 21, the resilienthead 31 will apply the urging force against the retaining legs 20 tomove toward each other. Therefore, when the retaining legs 20 areslidably inserted into the shafts 13 of the boots, the urging force willensure the retaining legs 20 being moved toward each other so as tostabilize the shapes of the shafts 13. It is worth mentioning that thelength of each of the retaining legs 20 is longer than the length of theshaft 13. Therefore, when the lower end 22 of the retaining leg 20reaches the bottom side of the boot 10 within the shaft 13 thereof, thetop edge of the shaft 13 will remain along the retaining leg 20. Inother words, the cavity 311 of the resilient head 31 will be locatedabove the top edge of the shaft 13, as shown in FIG. 2.

Accordingly, the binding head 30 further comprises a handling loop 32provided on top of the resilient head 31, wherein when the tool of thepresent invention is not in use, the tool can be hanged at an object,such as a hanging hook, via the handling loop 32. In addition, thehandling loop 32 can be a decorative ornament to enhance the aestheticappearance of the present invention. Preferably, the handling loop 32 isintegrally extended from the top side of the resilient head 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two lower ends 22 of the retaining legs 20 arebent outwardly such that bottom opening 23 is enlarged to communicatewith the retaining gap 21. Accordingly, the lower end 22 of each of theretaining legs 20 is bent in a curved form, wherein the bottom opening23 is formed in a “V” shaped configuration. Therefore, when theretaining legs 20 are slidably inserted into the shafts 13 of the boots10, the enlarged bottom opening 23 will ensure the top edges of theshafts 13 being easily slid to the retaining gap 21. In addition, thecurved lower ends 22 of the retaining legs 20 can prevent any scratch atthe inner surface of the shaft 13 when the retaining leg 20 is insertedinto the shaft 13.

According to the preferred embodiment, the tool further comprises twoholding elements 40 provided at the inner sides of the retaining legs 20respectively, wherein each of the holding elements 40 is made ofanti-scratching for securely engaging with the inner side of the shaft13 and for preventing the inner side of the shaft 13 being scratched bythe retaining leg 20. Preferably, each of the holding elements 40 canalso be made of frictional material to secure the position of theretaining leg 20 within the shaft 13.

The two holding elements 40 can be two fabric layers overlapped alongthe inner sides of the retaining legs 20 such that when the retaininglegs 20 are inserted into the shafts 13 respectively, the holdingelements 40 will contact with the inner sides of the shafts 13 withoutdirectly scratching thereat. It is appreciated that the holding elements40 can be integrally formed at the inner sides of the retaining legs 20,wherein the inner side of each of the retaining legs 20 forms as ateething surface to engage with the inner side of the shaft 13. In otherwords, the holding elements 40 are two teething surfaces of theretaining legs 20 respectively.

The tool further comprises a boot shaping unit 50 for retaining theshape of the boot 10, wherein the boot shaping unit 50 comprises tworetaining members 51 provided at two outer sides of the retaining legs20 respectively, and two boot shapers 52 being held by the retainingmembers 51 when the boot shapers 52 are slidably inserted into theshafts 13 of the boots 10 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the retaining members 51 is formed in a hookshape and is integrally provided at the outer side of the respectiveretaining leg 20 at a position between the upper end and the lower end22.

Each of the boot shapers 52 has a tubular shape, preferably a conicalshape, adapted to be inserted into the shaft 13 of the boot 10. When theboot shaper 52 is disposed within the shaft 13, the bottom edge of theboot shaper 52 is held at the retaining member 51 to retain the bootshaper 52 in position.

In order to use the tool of the present invention, the wearer is able toplace the boots 10 side-by-side at a position that the shafts 13 of theboots 10 are adjacent to each other. Then, by simply sliding theretaining legs 20 into the shafts 13 through the bottom opening 23, theinner sides of the shafts 13 will be held between the retaining legs 20.It is worth mentioning that the retaining legs 20 are preferablyinserted into the shafts 13 until the lower ends 22 of the retaininglegs 20 reach the bottom side of the boots 10 within the shafts 13, suchthat the shafts 13 will be held at an upright manner to stabilize theshapes of the shafts 13 and to enhance the air circulation of the boots10. In addition, the wearer is able to insert the boot shapers 52 intothe shafts 13 until the bottom edges of the boot shapers 52 engage withthe retaining members 51 so as to further retain the shapes of theshafts 13. It is worth mentioning that in order to remove the tool ofthe present invention from the boots 10, the wearer is able to pull thetool at the handling loop 32 upwardly, such that the retaining legs 20will be slid out of the shafts 13 at the same time. Therefore, thehandling loop 32 also forms a handle of the tool of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative mode of the retaining legs 20′,wherein each of the retaining legs 20′ is bent to define an innerelongated portion 201′, an outer hooking portion 202′, and a turningportion 203′ extended between the inner elongated portion 201′ and theouter hooking portion 202′. Accordingly, the lower end 22′ of each ofthe retaining legs 20′ is defined at the turning portion 203′ while theretaining gap 21′ is defined at a space between the inner elongatedportions 201′.

The binding head 30 is provided at the upper ends of the inner elongatedportion 201′ of the retaining legs 20′ for applying an urging forcealong the inner elongated portion 201′ so as to minimize a width of theretaining gap 21′. Accordingly, the binding head 30 is integrallyextended from the upper ends of the retaining legs 20′. Preferably, thebinding head 30 and the retaining legs 20′ are formed by one or moreflexible wires, such as metal wire, bent in a particular configurationas shown in FIG. 3.

The two outer hooking portions 202′ of the retaining legs 20′ form asthe two retaining members 51′, wherein when the boot shaper 52 isdisposed within the shaft 13, the bottom edge of the boot shaper 52 isheld at the outer hooking portion 202′ to retain the boot shaper 52 inposition.

FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative mode of the retaining legs 20″,wherein each of the retaining legs 20″ is embodied as alength-adjustable legs to selectively adjust the retaining lengththereof. Accordingly, each of the retaining legs 20″ comprises aplurality of leg portions 201″ being coupled together in a telescopemanner to selectively adjust the retaining length corresponding to thelength of the shaft 13 of each of the boots 10. Therefore, the retaininglegs 20″ can be folded to shorten the retaining lengths thereof. It isworth mentioning that the retaining member 51 is provided at each of theretaining legs 20″ at one of the leg portions 201″ thereof.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. A tool for a pair of boots, comprising: two retaining legs extendedside-by-side to define a retaining gap therebetween, wherein each ofsaid retaining legs has an upper end and a lower end to define aretaining length at least longer than a length of a shaft of each ofsaid boots; and a binding head provided at said upper ends of saidretaining legs for applying an urging force therealong so as to minimizea width of said retaining gap, wherein said retaining legs are adaptedfor inserting into said shafts of said boots respectively at a positionthat two inner sides of said shafts are held between said retaining legsso as to stabilize the shapes of said shafts of said boots.
 2. The tool,as recited in claim 1, wherein said binding head, which is made offlexible material, comprises a U-shaped resilient head integrallyextended from said upper ends of said retaining legs.
 3. The tool, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said resilient head has a cavity formed inoval shape communicating with said retaining gap, wherein a width ofsaid cavity is larger than a width of said retaining gap.
 4. The tool,as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower ends of said retaining legsare bent outwardly to form an enlarged bottom opening to communicatewith said retaining gap.
 5. The tool, as recited in claim 3, whereinsaid lower ends of said retaining legs are bent outwardly to form anenlarged bottom opening to communicate with said retaining gap.
 6. Thetool, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said retaining legs has anelongated and straight configuration that two inner sides of saidretaining legs are two elongated and straight surfaces for biasingagainst said inner sides of said shafts respectively.
 7. The tool, asrecited in claim 3, wherein each of said retaining legs has an elongatedand straight configuration that two inner sides of said retaining legsare two elongated and straight surfaces for biasing against said innersides of said shafts respectively.
 8. The tool, as recited in claim 5,wherein each of said retaining legs has an elongated and straightconfiguration that two inner sides of said retaining legs are twoelongated and straight surfaces for biasing against said inner sides ofsaid shafts respectively.
 9. The tool, as recited in claim 6, furthercomprising two holding elements provided at said inner sides of saidretaining legs respectively, wherein each of said holding elements ismade of anti-scratching material for securely engaging with said innerside of said shaft and for preventing said inner side of said shaftbeing scratched by said retaining leg.
 10. The tool, as recited in claim7, further comprising two holding elements provided at said inner sidesof said retaining legs respectively, wherein each of said holdingelements is made of anti-scratching material for securely engaging withsaid inner side of said shaft and for preventing said inner side of saidshaft being scratched by said retaining leg.
 11. The tool, as recited inclaim 8, further comprising two holding elements provided at said innersides of said retaining legs respectively, wherein each of said holdingelements is made of anti-scratching material for securely engaging withsaid inner side of said shaft and for preventing said inner side of saidshaft being scratched by said retaining leg.
 12. The tool, as recited inclaim 3, wherein said binding head further comprises a handling loopprovided on top of said resilient head.
 13. The tool, as recited inclaim 8, wherein said binding head further comprises a handling loopprovided on top of said resilient head.
 14. The tool, as recited inclaim 11, wherein said binding head further comprises a handling loopprovided on top of said resilient head.
 15. The tool, as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a boot shaping unit for retaining a shape ofsaid boot, wherein said boot shaping unit comprises two retainingmembers provided at two outer sides of said retaining legs respectively,and two boot shapers being held by said retaining members when said bootshapers are slidably inserted into said shafts of said bootsrespectively.
 16. The tool, as recited in claim 5, further comprising aboot shaping unit for retaining a shape of said boot, wherein said bootshaping unit comprises two retaining members provided at two outer sidesof said retaining legs respectively, and two boot shapers being held bysaid retaining members when said boot shapers are slidably inserted intosaid shafts of said boots respectively.
 17. The tool, as recited inclaim 14, further comprising a boot shaping unit for retaining a shapeof said boot, wherein said boot shaping unit comprises two retainingmembers provided at two outer sides of said retaining legs respectively,and two boot shapers being held by said retaining members when said bootshapers are slidably inserted into said shafts of said bootsrespectively.
 18. The tool, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of saidretaining legs, which is a length-adjustable legs, comprises a pluralityof leg portions being coupled together in a telescope manner toselectively adjust said retaining length corresponding to said length ofsaid shaft of each of said boots.
 19. The tool, as recited in claim 8,wherein each of said retaining legs, which is a length-adjustable legs,comprises a plurality of leg portions being coupled together in atelescope manner to selectively adjust said retaining lengthcorresponding to said length of said shaft of each of said boots. 20.The tool, as recited in claim 17, wherein each of said retaining legs,which is a length-adjustable legs, comprises a plurality of leg portionsbeing coupled together in a telescope manner to selectively adjust saidretaining length corresponding to said length of said shaft of each ofsaid boots.